Simplebook vs Altegio: lightweight booking or an all-in-one platform
Simplebook and Altegio both support online appointments, but they solve problems at different scales. Simplebook is a lightweight direct-booking calendar with Google Calendar synchronization. Altegio is an all-in-one business system covering CRM, payments, inventory, payroll, analytics and locations.
Disclosure: this comparison is published by Simplebook. Altegio facts were checked against its official website. We acknowledge strengths on both sides and do not reproduce unverified dynamic prices.
See the comparisonSimplebook fits best
Independent professionals and small teams
Choose it when the priority is launching a direct booking link quickly, showing real availability and keeping appointments aligned with Google Calendar.
Altegio fits best
Salons, chains and broader operations
Choose it when booking must work alongside payments, accounting, inventory, payroll, loyalty, reporting and centralized location management.
Feature comparison
Verified July 31, 2026
| Criterion | Simplebook | Altegio |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 online booking | Own public booking page | Pages, widgets, app and messengers |
| Availability | Working hours, exceptions and busy slots | Employee scheduling, rescheduling and cancellation |
| Google Calendar | Core booking and busy-time synchronization | Integrations within a wider ecosystem |
| Client records | Contacts, comments and booking history | Full CRM, no-shows, memberships and loyalty |
| Notifications | Email reminders | WhatsApp, SMS, email and push |
| Payments, inventory and payroll | Not currently included | Built-in tools for all three |
| Analytics | Basic booking and client statistics | Operational, financial and marketing reporting |
| Multiple locations | Focused on professionals and small teams | Centralized chain management |
| API and ecosystem | Not the core product proposition | Open API, webhooks and 100+ integrations |
| Setup scope | Profile, services, schedule and link | Broader configuration for more business processes |
The main difference is operating scope
Simplebook does not try to replace a POS, warehouse, payroll engine or chain-management suite. It focuses on the shortest path from a direct link to a confirmed appointment. This is a benefit when extra modules add friction, and a limitation when the business needs a complete operational system.
Altegio officially combines online booking with clients, notifications, finances, payroll, inventory, analytics, loyalty, apps, APIs and multi-location management. That breadth is valuable for a larger salon, but may be more than an independent professional needs.
Choose Simplebook when
- You work independently or in a small beauty team.
- Clients arrive from your website, social profiles, ads or messages.
- Google Calendar already anchors your daily schedule.
- You value a short client flow and a small setup surface.
Choose Altegio when
- Booking is one part of a wider salon operation.
- You need payments, prepayment, inventory and payroll together.
- You manage many employees or locations.
- You need loyalty tools, advanced reporting, APIs or many integrations.
Pricing
Simplebook accounts created in 2026 receive their first 12 months free without a card or setup fee. Altegio uses a calculator based on employee count and license duration and offers a 7-day trial. Because its displayed amount is dynamic and regional, check the official Altegio pricing page for a current quote.
Verdict
Simplebook is for simplicity; Altegio is for breadth. Neither is universally better. A solo professional may lose time in a system built for complex operations, while a chain will outgrow a booking-only workflow.
Create a Simplebook pageMethodology and sources
We matched publicly described Altegio capabilities against features available in the current Simplebook product. No affiliate rankings or unverified review claims were used.
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